Every fall I receive gifts, cards, hearty pats on the back and words of encouragement and I enjoy it. It’s nice to be appreciated. Nicer still to be appreciated for a whole month! I am glad that somebody, somewhere decided that October should be Pastor Appreciation Month. I am glad that my church observes this sacred tradition! Yet, the truth is that we pastors typically receive a lot of appreciation. Decisions often wait until the pastor has spoken. We hear, “Good sermon, Pastor!” and “Thank you for praying for me.” Yes, being a pastor is a wonderful calling. I enjoy it too much to call for a halt to Pastor Appreciation Month, but maybe we could add some more months to our calendar. Maybe we need a Sunday School Coordinator Appreciation Month, a Guy Who Changes The Furnace Filters Appreciation Month, Board Member Who Drives An Hour To Be There Appreciation Month, a Call Me At The Last Minute And I’ll Help Person Appreciation Month, a Prayer Warrior Appreciation Month, a Youth Leader Appreciation Month. The list could and should go on and on. The church is a body and every part must do its bit if the body is to run. If that’s true I suppose Pastor’s are on about the same level as eyebrows. You’d look funny without them but, there are far more important parts doing far more important things. Its a pleasure to be a part of this body!